Pancreatic Cancer

Answer Explanation:

• The correct answer is ‘Median survival is less than 6 months’. This is because pancreatic carcinoma, particularly adenocarcinoma which is the most common type, is often diagnosed at a late stage due to non-specific symptoms and rapid progression. This leads to a poor prognosis with a median survival rate of less than 6 months.

Incorrect Options Explanation:

• ‘Carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater carries the worst prognosis’ is incorrect. Although this condition has a poor prognosis, pancreatic carcinoma has a worse prognosis due to its late diagnosis and rapid progression.
• ‘Carcinomas of the tail usually present with painless jaundice’ is incorrect. Carcinomas of the tail of the pancreas typically present with non-specific symptoms like abdominal pain and weight loss, not jaundice which is more commonly associated with carcinomas of the head of the pancreas.
• ‘The majority are squamous cell carcinomas’ is incorrect. The majority of pancreatic carcinomas are adenocarcinomas, not squamous cell carcinomas.
• ‘Painless jaundice and a palpable gallbladder are more likely to be due to gallstones than to a pancreatic carcinoma’ is incorrect. These symptoms are more likely to be due to a pancreatic carcinoma, specifically of the head of the pancreas, than gallstones.

Pancreatic Carcinoma Overview:

Epidemiology:

• Pancreatic carcinoma is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.
• It is more common in older adults and in people with a family history of the disease.

Pathophysiology:

• The majority of pancreatic carcinomas are adenocarcinomas that originate from the ductal epithelium.
• These tumors often invade locally and metastasize early, most commonly to the liver and peritoneum.

Clinical Presentation:

• Non-specific symptoms such as abdominal pain, weight loss, and anorexia are common.
• Jaundice may occur if the tumor is located in the head of the pancreas and obstructs the common bile duct.

Prognosis:

• The prognosis is generally poor due to late diagnosis and rapid progression of the disease.
• The median survival rate is less than 6 months, and the 5-year survival rate is less than 5%.

Answer Explanation:

• The correct answer is Alcoholism. Chronic alcoholism is a significant risk factor for pancreatic carcinoma. This is because long-term alcohol use can lead to chronic pancreatitis, which increases the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
• A high-protein diet is not specifically associated with an increased risk of pancreatic carcinoma. While diet can play a role in overall cancer risk, there is no direct link between high protein intake and pancreatic cancer.
• Angiodysplasia, a condition characterized by abnormal blood vessels in the gastrointestinal tract, is not a known risk factor for pancreatic carcinoma.
• Helicobacter pylori is a bacteria that can cause stomach ulcers and is a risk factor for stomach cancer, but it is not directly linked to pancreatic carcinoma.
• A scorpion bite is not a risk factor for pancreatic carcinoma. Scorpion bites can cause a range of symptoms, from mild irritation to severe allergic reactions, but they do not increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

Overview of Pancreatic Carcinoma:

• Pancreatic carcinoma, or pancreatic cancer, is a disease in which malignant (cancerous) cells form in the tissues of the pancreas.
• The pancreas is a gland located behind the stomach and in front of the spine. It produces digestive juices and hormones that regulate blood sugar.
• Symptoms of pancreatic carcinoma can include jaundice, pain in the upper abdomen that radiates to the back, loss of appetite, weight loss, depression, and blood clots.
• Risk factors for pancreatic carcinoma include chronic inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), diabetes, family history of genetic syndromes that can increase cancer risk, including a BRCA2 gene mutation, Lynch syndrome and familial atypical mole-malignant melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome, obesity, and smoking.
• Chronic alcoholism is a significant risk factor as it can lead to chronic pancreatitis, increasing the risk of pancreatic carcinoma.